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COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Mar 13, 2012

Import tax: a complex, seemingly arbitrary minefield

Paula writes: "What are the rules regarding taxes placed on imported purchases — for example, a pair of boots? I live in Kobe and had to pay taxes of ¥5,400 for a ¥9,000 purchase. I paid more than half the cost of what I bought in taxes."
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Dec 11, 2007

Shipping, martial arts, health costs

Heading home HB has been teaching English in Aomori Prefecture for over 20 years and is planning to retire in the U.S.
LIFE / Food & Drink / NIHONSHU
Aug 10, 2000

When you least expect distinction in Shimbashi . . .

It's always refreshing to come across a new sake pub, in particular one that breaks the mold of tradition and convention. It's even more refreshing to come upon one that defies all efforts at categorization, yet still satisfies in every way.
Events / KANSAI: WHO & WHAT
Oct 4, 2013

Antlers of Nara's sacred deer to be cut off

The antlers of sacred deer in Nara will be cut during a ceremony between Oct. 12 and 14.
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Nov 7, 2006

Driving and social security

As everything get more convenient, things also, in other ways, become more difficult.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Apr 3, 2016

Seeking Japanese courses for mature students; reconnecting with a lost mother

A British reader is keen to come to Japan and learn the language, and a woman in the U.S. hopes to get in contact with her Japanese birth mother.
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Dec 28, 2004

Boating, studying and moving to Japan

The last column of the year! Where did the weeks go?
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Jun 15, 2004

Free guides, counseling and a bet

Howzat! Graham, Operations Manager at the YC&AC (Yokohama Country & Athletic Club) located in Naka-ku, Yokohama, follows up an enquiry about cricket from Jake on June 1.
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Sep 16, 2013

Before you leave Japan, there's an awful lot to do

Preparing to leave Japan can be an overwhelming and time-consuming process, especially if you try to do it in less than two months, as my husband and I did. But regardless how much (or little) time you have to get ready, we learned a few things from our experience that might make yours easier. This isn't...
Japan Times
LIFE
Jun 8, 2008

Viva matsuri!

To commemorate 100 years of Japanese emigration to Brazil, and the countries' continuing close links, taiko drummers from both cultures will be powering a huge festival set for Sao Paulo on June 21
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Mar 25, 2008

Animals, wives, togs, renovation

Foreign brides Regarding the " 'gaijin' lady thinking of marriage to her Japanese guy" (March 3), LGK is surprised we didn't direct her to the Association of Foreign Wives of Japanese ( www.afwj.org ), which boasts a membership of 500.
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Sep 27, 2005

Watches, stains and health food

Keep watching Jim in Kansai notes that it is several weeks now since we ran his request for suggestions on repairing his old Seiko watch, but still no response. "I knew it was a long shot, but I'd like to thank you anyway, for trying."
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Jul 29, 2003

In search of senbei and more culture

Senbei fan Randall writes from California, reporting that around 1900 a Japanese gardener in San Francisco started serving cookies with thank you notes inside at that city's Japanese garden.
LIFE / Food & Drink / NIHONSHU
Sep 2, 2001

Standing out in the crowd: the joys of tachinomiya

Tachinomiya hold a special position among drinking establishments. There is something about standing while drinking that puts a whole new spin on the sake experience. What such places lack in serenity they more than make up for in value and fun.
Japan Times
Mar 31, 2021

Publication of the English Tottori Prefecture Digital Book

Introducing the attractions of Tottori Prefecture to foreigners in the Tokyo metropolitan area, mainly through photographs.
Japan Times
Jan 16, 2020

The "5 Million Yen Crab," a Tottori Prefecture Specially Selected Matsuba Itsuki-boshi Crab, has been Certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the Most Expensive Crab Sold at Auction!

Tottori Prefecture, known as Japan's No. 1 crabbing prefecture, recorded a bid in the first auction on November 7 this year for a crab at a record-high amount of 5 million yen.
Japan Times
JAPAN / IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition
Sep 14, 2018

Nation hopes to share international water technology

Tokyo will host the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition 2018 from Sunday to Friday. The event is expected to attract 6,000 people from more than 100 countries to discuss technology, public policies, international collaboration and other subjects to achieve sustainable water management practices.
Events / KANSAI: WHO & WHAT
Aug 22, 2014

Kyoto temple event to pray for lonely souls

Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple in Kyoto will hold the Sento memorial service on Saturday and Sunday and light candles on thousands of gravestones of those who have no surviving relatives to pray for their souls.
Events / KANSAI: WHO & WHAT
Apr 25, 2014

Religious pantomimes set for Kyoto temple

"Mibu kyogen," religious pantomimes that date back to the 14th century, will be performed at Mibudera Temple in Kyoto from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. between Tuesday and May 5. There will also be a night session from 6 to 10 p.m. on May 5.
Events / KANSAI: WHO & WHAT
Mar 21, 2014

Huge antique fair next weekend in Kyoto

The 58th Grand Antique Fair in Kyoto will run from March 28 to 30, with more than 350 shops from all over Japan displaying and selling their wares.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Mar 12, 2014

Taihen actors put bodies on the line

Observing rehearsals by the physical-theater company Taihen for their upcoming "Over the Rainbow" show at ABC Hall in Osaka was in many ways a free-jazz experience.
Events / KANSAI: WHO & WHAT
Feb 14, 2014

Foreign anime artists to converge on Kobe

Animation artists from Israel, Poland and Switzerland will show their works and speak about the animation industry in their countries in Kobe on Feb. 21 and in Kyoto on Feb. 22.
Events / KANSAI: WHO & WHAT
Sep 27, 2013

International artists flock to 'Kyoto Experiment'

The Kyoto International Performing Arts Festival's "Kyoto Experiment" will run from Saturday until Oct. 27.
LIFE / Language / KANJI CLINIC
Jan 9, 2012

The Kanji of the Year for 2011: human ties that bind

Every November, in its Kanji of the Year poll, the Japanese Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation invites the public to vote for the character that best symbolizes the year drawing to a close. It then announces the winner in mid December.
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Jan 25, 2011

Carnet crucial when doing Japan in a van

Diana and Peter were pleased to find the column "How to do Japan — in a VW camper van" (Lifelines, Nov. 16) on the Japan Times website.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Jul 30, 2010

Who deserves to sit alongside Chagall?

There are many ways to view the lush, colorful, dreamlike and apparently naive art of Marc Chagall, one of the undoubted greats of 20th-century painting. "Marc Chagall and the Russian Avant-garde, from the Collection of the Centre Pompidou" at The University Art Museum, Tokyo University of Arts, makes...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Sep 22, 2009

Lifelines lead back to World War II

Seeking an old friend Kevin Roop, writing to us from the U.S., is trying to find an old friend of his 85-year-old father, Vernon Roop, a veteran of World War II who after the war was based with his unit, the 5th AAF, at Tachikawa Air Base in Tokyo.
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Jul 19, 2009

Explaining a hold and a tale about 'Smokey' catching for the Carp

Checking out what is on the minds of fans and readers of the column this week as we go through the e-mail inbox, and Josh Barnett in Kobe wants to know, "What is a 'hold' and what does a pitcher need to do to be awarded one?"
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Oct 11, 2008

Offering shelter from life's storms

"It's the single most stressful job I've ever had. It's also the best job," says Briar Simpson of Tokyo's Animal Refuge Kansai.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Apr 29, 2008

Pension system obligations and benefits

As the social welfare system grows in complexity, non-Japanese in particular are likely feeling a sense of frustration at the lack of information available in their native language.

Longform

People in cities across Japan will pop into their local convenience store for any number of products they believe will help them with a night of drinking.
Hangover cures are everywhere in Japan — but do they work?